JP5009325B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game machine such as a ball ball game machine or a slot machine that generates a big hit state by a lottery process caused by a game operation, and more particularly, to a game machine that provides an opportunity for a player to participate in a game and has a new interest. .

  A ball game machine such as a pachinko machine has a symbol start opening provided on the game board, a symbol display section for displaying a series of symbol variation patterns by a plurality of display symbols, and a big winning opening for opening and closing the opening and closing plate. Configured. When the detection switch provided at the symbol start port detects the passage of the game ball, the winning state is entered, and after the game ball is paid out as a prize ball, the display symbol is changed for a predetermined time in the symbol display section. Thereafter, when the symbol is stopped in a predetermined manner such as 7-7-7, a big hit state is established, and the big winning opening is repeatedly opened to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player.

  Whether or not to generate such a game state is determined by a jackpot lottery executed on the condition that a game ball has won at the symbol start opening, and the above symbol variation operation is based on this lottery result. It has become a thing. For example, when the lottery result is in a winning state, an effect operation called reach action (reach effect) is executed for about 20 seconds, and then the special symbols are aligned.

  On the other hand, a similar reach action may be executed even in the case of a lost state. In this case, the player pays close attention to the big hit state and pays close attention to the transition of the performance operation. Before the final result is finalized, an effect is also performed in which a character appears and notifies the invitation of a big hit state.

  Although various effects are performed to boost the player, including such a notice effect, the player only expects a big hit state, and the player cannot be actively involved There was a limit to the direction of the performance. Here, if a player's movement is grasped and the production | generation corresponding to this can be implement | achieved, a player's interest can be intrigued.

  Therefore, the present applicant has already proposed a gaming machine with a simple configuration that can reflect the movement of the player in the effect operation (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-202018

  In the above invention, the hue value (Hue) of each pixel is extracted from the image data acquired from the camera, and the hue range in which the application frequency exceeds a predetermined level is determined to be a player's hand. . Although the present invention is excellent in the simplicity of the technique and configuration, there is a problem that the movement of the hand cannot be accurately grasped when the player's face is reflected behind the player's hand. It was.

  Therefore, there is a strong demand for a configuration that can specifically extract only an object existing in the proximity position of the camera. Here, it is possible to use a camera having a function such as autofocus, but this increases the manufacturing cost of the gaming machine and the occupied space inside the gaming machine. Lack of sex.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine that can grasp a player's movement with a simple configuration.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a gaming machine that executes a lottery process due to a predetermined gaming operation and determines whether or not to generate a gaming state advantageous to the player. A radiation unit that radiates inspection light toward a subject located in front of the receiver, a reception unit that includes a two-dimensional image sensor that receives a reflected wave of the inspection light from the subject via a visible light cutoff filter, and And grasping means for grasping the subject based on the saturation value or the lightness value at each sampling point based on the output of the image sensor.

  The two-dimensional image sensor of the present invention receives a reflected wave that has passed through a visible range cutoff filter. Therefore, in principle, it is considered that significant information cannot be obtained from the image sensor. However, according to the inventor's experimental research, based on the characteristics of on-chip color filters and photodiodes that constitute the image sensor, significant levels of data for saturation and lightness, excluding hue values, are stable. It was confirmed that it was detected.

  Therefore, the grasping means of the present invention grasps the subject based on the saturation value or the brightness value. As described above, in the present invention, the subject (target) is captured by the reflected light of the inspection light, so that the recognition range of the target is practically limited according to the attenuation characteristic of the inspection light, for example, an object having a common hue with the target, Even if the part overlaps the receiving unit, only the part close to the receiving unit can be specifically detected.

  The visible region blocking filter is preferably a sharp cut filter that transmits infrared rays. Further, the radiating portion includes a light-emitting body incorporated in a non-transparent cylindrical member whose inner surface is mirror-finished, and a non-translucent elastic member provided continuously to the cylindrical member. The inspection light is configured to be emitted in a substantially beam shape.

  In any case, it is preferable that the radiating section and the receiving section are arranged on a game board located inside the glass door. Further, it is preferable that the grasping means is configured to identify four end points having a maximum coordinate point and a minimum coordinate point in XY coordinates orthogonal to each other with respect to the shape of the subject.

  Preferably, the object grasped by the grasping means is determined in accordance with the determination means for determining the inclination posture, the extraction means for extracting the extraction point corresponding to the inclination posture, and displayed in correspondence with the movement of the extraction point. The production means for moving the character on the screen should be further provided. The extraction point is simply the fingertip of the player.

  According to the above-described present invention, it is possible to surely grasp the player's movement while having a simple configuration.

It is a perspective view of the pachinko machine shown in an example. It is the front view which illustrated in detail the game board of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the pachinko machine of FIG. It is drawing for demonstrating the structure of an effect control part. It is drawing which illustrated the camera production. It is drawing explaining the circuit structure and operation | movement of a camera part and a composite chip. It is a flowchart explaining a part of operation | movement of a composite chip | tip in detail. It is an example of a captured image of a target. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of an effect control part. It is a flowchart explaining operation | movement of an image control part.

  Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a pachinko machine GM of the present embodiment. This pachinko machine GM includes a rectangular frame-shaped wooden outer frame 1 that is detachably mounted on an island structure, and a front frame 3 that is pivotably mounted via a hinge 2 fixed to the outer frame 1. It is configured. A game board 5 is detachably attached to the front frame 3, and a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached to the front side of the game board 5 so as to be openable and closable.

  On the outer periphery of the glass door 6, an electric lamp such as an LED lamp is arranged in a substantially C shape. An upper plate 8 for storing game balls for launch is mounted on the front plate 7, and a lower plate 9 for storing game balls overflowing from or extracted from the upper plate 8 and a launch handle 10 are mounted at the bottom of the front frame 3. And are provided. The launch handle 10 is interlocked with the launch motor, and a game ball is launched by a striking rod that operates according to the rotation angle of the launch handle 10.

  A chance button 11 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the upper plate 8. The chance button 11 is provided at a position where it can be operated with the left hand of the player, and the player can operate the chance button 11 without releasing the right hand from the firing handle 10. The chance button 11 does not function normally, but when the game state becomes the button chance state, the built-in lamp is turned on and can be operated. The button chance state is a game state provided as necessary.

  On the right side of the upper plate 8, an operation panel 12 for ball lending operation with respect to the card-type ball lending machine is provided, a frequency display unit for displaying the remaining amount of the card with a three-digit number, and a ball of game balls for a predetermined amount A ball lending switch for instructing lending and a return switch for instructing to return the card at the end of the game are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the game board 5 is provided with a guide rail 13 formed of a metal outer rail and an inner rail in an annular shape, and a display device is provided at the approximate center of the game area 5a on the inside. An LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is arranged. In addition, at a suitable place in the game area 5a, a symbol start opening 15, a big winning opening 16, a plurality of normal winning openings 17 (four on the right and left of the large winning opening 16), and a gate 18 serving as a passing opening are arranged. Yes. Each of these winning openings 15 to 18 has a detection switch inside, and can detect the passage of a game ball.

  The display device LCD is a device that variably displays a specific symbol related to the big hit state and displays a background image and various characters in an animated manner. This display device LCD has special symbol display portions Da to Dc in the center portion and a normal symbol display portion 19 in the upper right portion. And, in the special symbol display parts Da to Dc, a reach effect that expects the invitation of a big hit state is executed, or in the special symbol display parts Da to Dc and the surroundings, a notice effect that informs the result of the success or failure is executed. Is done.

  The normal symbol display unit 19 displays a normal symbol. When a game ball that has passed through the gate 18 is detected, the normal symbol fluctuates for a predetermined time, and the lottery extracted at the time when the game ball passes through the gate 18 is extracted. The stop symbol determined by the random number for use is displayed and stopped.

  Outside the two normal winning openings 17 and 17 arranged on the left side, a radiating unit 50 that emits infrared rays and a camera unit 51 that receives infrared reflected light at the time of camera production are respectively a game board 5 and a makeup. It is disposed through the plate PLA (see FIG. 2B). The camera production of this embodiment is executed only when the camera production lottery is won, and the character (helpman) appearing during the reach production can be moved in accordance with the movement of the player's fingertip. (See FIG. 5).

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the radiating portion 50 includes a main body portion BDY having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface processed into a mirror surface MIR, and an elastic portion CV that is externally fitted to the distal end side of the main body portion BDY. Has been. And in the main-body part BDY, infrared rays LED which is not shown in figure is arrange | positioned, and radiates | emits infrared rays toward the glass door 6. FIG. Here, since the elastic portion CV has an appropriate elasticity and is in contact with the glass door 6, regular reflection light on the inner surface of the glass door 6 does not leak to the camera portion 51. Further, the inner peripheral surface of the main body BDY is mirror-finished, and the elastic portion CV is also non-translucent, so that energy loss is minimized and infrared rays are radiated substantially in a beam shape. In addition, a condensing lens is arrange | positioned at the radiation | emission part 50 as needed.

  In the camera unit 51 of the present embodiment, an infrared filter Fi is disposed on the optical path reaching the light receiving surface. Here, the infrared filter Fi is a sharp cut filter that allows light having a cutoff wavelength (approximately 700 nm) or more to pass but blocks light having a wavelength shorter than that. Therefore, the visible light incident on the camera unit 51 is blocked by the infrared filter Fi, and only the infrared light reflected by the player's fingertip or the like reaches the light receiving surface of the camera. Therefore, the camera unit 51 is not influenced by visible light in principle. In addition, in this embodiment, the target is captured by infrared reflected light, so that the target recognition range (focal position) is practically limited, and there is no possibility of acquiring an image farther than the recognition range.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, since the glass door 6 is disposed on the front surface of the camera unit 51, the player's finger does not approach the camera unit 51 more than necessary. Therefore, the player's fingertip image can be acquired in an appropriate size, and there is no adverse effect that the acquired image is too large and the fingertip cannot be recognized.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the radiating unit 50 and the camera unit 51 are not functioning at all times, but only when the camera effect lottery is won, the operation is started and the player's movement is grasped. Yes. Since the display device LCD is informed that the camera unit 51 has started to operate, after that, when the fingertip is extended in front of the camera unit 51 and moved in an appropriate direction, the moving direction and moving speed are changed. Correspondingly, a special character is configured to move.

  The symbol start port 15 located on the right side of the radiating unit 50 and the camera unit 51 is configured to be opened and closed by an electric tulip having a pair of left and right opening and closing claws 15a, for example, and the normal symbol display unit 19 after the fluctuation is stopped When the winning symbol is displayed, the opening / closing claw 15a is opened for a predetermined time or until a predetermined number of game balls are detected.

  When a game ball wins the symbol start port 15, the display symbols of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc change for a predetermined time and are determined based on the lottery result corresponding to the winning timing of the game ball to the symbol start port 15. Stop at the stop symbol. In addition, in special symbol display parts Da-Dc and its circumference, a notice effect may be performed between a series of symbol effects.

  The big winning opening 16 is controlled to open and close by, for example, an opening / closing plate 16a that can be opened forward, but when the stop symbol after the symbol change of the special symbol display portions Da to Dc is a big hit symbol such as “777”, the “big hit game” Is started, and the opening / closing plate 16a is opened.

  After the opening / closing plate 16a of the big prize opening 16 is opened, the opening / closing plate 16a is closed when a predetermined time elapses or when a predetermined number (for example, 10) of game balls wins. In such an operation, the special game is continued up to 15 times, for example, and is controlled in a state advantageous to the player. In addition, when the stop symbol after the change of the special symbol display parts Da to Dc is a specific symbol of the special symbols, a privilege that the game after the end of the special game is in a high probability state is given.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall circuit configuration of the pachinko machine GM that realizes the above-described operations. A dashed line in the figure mainly indicates a DC voltage line.

  As shown in the figure, this pachinko machine GM is provided with a power supply board 20 that receives AC 24V and outputs various DC voltages, system reset signals (power reset signals) SYS, and the like, and a main control board 21 that plays a central role in game control operations. And an effect control board 22 that executes a lamp effect and a sound effect based on the control command CMD received from the main control board 21, and an image that drives the display device LCD based on the control command CMD ′ received from the effect control board 22. The control board 23, the payout control board 24 for controlling the payout motor M based on the control command CMD "received from the main control board 21 and paying out the game ball, and the game ball is fired in response to the player's operation. The launch control board 25 is mainly configured.

  However, in this embodiment, the control command CMD output from the main control board 21 is transmitted to the effect control board 22 via the command relay board 26 and the effect interface board 27. Further, the control command CMD ′ output from the effect control board 22 is transmitted to the image control board 23 via the effect interface board 27, and the control command CMD ″ output from the main control board 21 is the main board relay board. It is transmitted to the payout control board 24 via 28.

  The main control board 21, the effect control board 22, the image control board 23, and the payout control board 24 are each equipped with a computer circuit including a one-chip microcomputer. Thus, the circuits mounted on the control boards 21 to 24 and the operations realized by the circuits are collectively referred to as a function. In this specification, the main control unit 21, the effect control unit 22, and the image control unit 23 are used. , And the payout control unit 24. All or part of the effect control unit 22, the image control unit 23, and the payout control unit 24 is a sub-control unit.

  By the way, the pachinko machine GM is roughly divided into a frame side member GM1 surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 3 and a board side member GM2 fixed to the back of the game board 5. The frame side member GM1 includes a front frame 3 on which a glass door 6 and a front plate 7 are pivotally attached, and a wooden outer frame 1 on the outside thereof. Is fixedly installed. On the other hand, the board side member GM2 is replaced in response to the model change, and a new board side member GM2 is attached to the frame side member GM1 instead of the original board side member. All except the frame side member 1 is the panel side member GM2.

  As shown in the broken line frame in FIG. 3, the frame-side member GM1 includes a power supply board 20, a payout control board 24, a launch control board 25, and a frame relay board 32, and these circuit boards are Each is fixed in place on the front frame 3. On the other hand, a main control board 21, an effect control board 22, and an image control board 23 are fixed to the back of the game board 5 together with the display device LCD and other circuit boards. And the frame side member GM1 and the board | substrate side member GM2 are electrically connected by the connection connectors C1-C4 concentratedly arranged in one place.

  The power supply board 20 is connected to the main board relay board 28 through the connection connector C2, and is connected to the power supply relay board 30 through the connection connector C3. The main board relay board 28 outputs the system reset signal SYS, the RAM clear signal DEL, the voltage drop signal, the backup power supplies BAK, DC12V, and DC32V received from the power board 20 to the main controller 21 as they are. Similarly, the power relay board 30 also outputs the system reset signal SYS received from the power board 20 and the AC and DC power supply voltages to the effect interface board 27 as they are. The production interface board 27 outputs the received system reset signal SYS to the production control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 as they are.

  On the other hand, the payout control board 24 is directly connected to the power supply board 20 without going through the relay board, and the system reset signal SYS, the RAM clear signal DEL, the voltage drop signal, the backup power supply, which are received by the main control unit 21. BAK is received directly along with other power supply voltages.

  Here, the system reset signal SYS output from the power supply board 20 is a power supply reset signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V is turned on to the power supply board 20, and the one-chip microcomputers of the respective control units 21 to 24 by this power supply reset signal. The other IC elements are reset in power supply.

  The RAM clear signal DEL received from the power supply board 20 by the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 is a signal that determines whether or not to initialize all areas of the built-in RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of each control unit 21 and 24. Therefore, it has a value corresponding to the ON / OFF state of the initialization switch SW operated by the attendant.

  The voltage drop signal received from the power supply board 20 by the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 is a signal indicating that the AC power supply 24V has started to drop. By receiving this voltage drop signal, each control unit 21, In 24, a necessary termination process is started prior to a power failure or business termination. The backup power supply BAK is a DC5V DC power source that retains data in the RAM of the one-chip microcomputer of the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 even after the AC power supply 24V is shut off due to business termination or power failure. Therefore, the main control unit 21 and the payout control unit 24 can resume the game operation before power-off after power-on (power backup function). This pachinko machine is designed to retain the stored contents of the RAM of each one-chip microcomputer for at least several days.

  On the other hand, the effect control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 are not provided with the power supply backup function described above. However, as described above, the production control unit 22 and the image control unit 23 are commonly supplied with the system reset signal SYS via the power relay board 30 and the production interface board 27. A power supply reset operation is realized at a timing substantially synchronized with the control units 21 and 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the effect interface board 27 includes a command relay board 26, a power supply relay board 30, a frame relay board 31, an effect control board 22, a lamp connection board 34, and an image control board 23. And connected to. And at the time of camera production, the production control unit 22 acquires image information of the player's fingertip from the camera unit 51.

  In order to realize the operation as described above, the effect control unit 22 stores a one-chip microcomputer 40 that executes processing such as voice effect, lamp effect, camera effect, and data transfer, and a control program for the one-chip microcomputer 40. EPROM 41, audio reproduction output circuit 42 that reproduces and outputs an audio signal based on an instruction from the one-chip microcomputer 40, an audio memory 43 that stores compressed audio data, a watchdog timer WDT, a camera unit 51, A composite chip 52 for data communication and a ROM 53 for storing a control program for the CPU 64 of the composite chip 52 are provided (see FIG. 4).

  Here, the composite chip is a one-chip IC (System On a Chip) on which the main functions of a computer are mounted. For example, LR35501 (Sharp) is used. Note that the watchdog timer WDT is reset by a clear pulse periodically supplied from the one-chip microcomputer 40. When the clear pulse is interrupted due to a program runaway or the like, a reset signal RESET is output. Yes. As a result, the one-chip microcomputer 40 is forcibly reset to the initial state, and the program runaway state is solved.

  The one-chip microcomputer 40 includes a parallel input / output port PIO. The parallel port PIO outputs the control command CMD ′ and the strobe signal STB ′, while the composite chip 52 receives the player's fingertip position information DET (8 bits) together with the strobe signal STB ″ (1 bit). is recieving.

  Although not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the CPU of the composite chip 52 outputs the XY coordinates of the player's fingertip in 4 bits each as the position information DET. Therefore, the one-chip microcomputer 40 can grasp from which position information DET the player's fingertip is located in which section of the 16 × 16 area.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the control command CMD and the strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB output from the main control board 21 are sent to the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control board 22 via the buffer 48 of the effect interface board 27. Is supplied. The interrupt signal STB is supplied to the interrupt terminal INT of the one-chip microcomputer. Then, the effect control unit 22 acquires the control command CMD by the reception interrupt process activated by the strobe signal STB.

  In addition to (a) error notification and other notification control commands, the control command CMD acquired by the effect control unit 22 includes (b) control for specifying an outline of various effect operations resulting from winning at the symbol start opening. Commands (variation pattern commands) are included. Here, the outline of the production operation specified by the variation pattern command includes the production total time from the production start to the production end, and the result of winning or failing in the big hit lottery. However, the specific content of the production content including whether or not to execute the camera production is not specified.

  Therefore, when the change pattern command CMD is acquired, the effect control unit 22 performs an effect lottery or a camera effect lottery to further specify the effect outline specified by the acquired change pattern command CMD.

  For example, the specific contents of the reach effect and the notice effect are determined. Then, in accordance with the determined specific game content, a lamp effect by blinking the LED group and a sound effect preparation operation by the speaker are performed, and the image control unit 23 is synchronized with the effect operation by the lamp and the speaker. The control command CMD ′ related to the rendered symbol effect is output. When the camera effect lottery is won, at the time of the camera effect, the effect control unit 22 outputs position information DET specifying the player's fingertip to the image control unit 23 as a control command CMD '.

  Specifically, the effect control unit 22 outputs a control command CMD ′ to the effect interface board 27 together with a strobe signal (interrupt signal) STB ′ for the image control unit 23. When receiving the notification control command related to the display device LCD and other control commands, the effect control unit 22 outputs the control command to the effect interface board 27 together with the interrupt signal STB ′. To do.

  Corresponding to the configuration of the effect control board 22, the effect interface board 27 is configured to receive an 8-bit control command CMD 'and a 1-bit interrupt signal STB'. These data CMD ′ and STB ′ are output to the image control board 23 via the buffer 46 as they are.

  The symbol effect executed by the image controller 23 based on the control command CMD 'is centered on a so-called symbol variation operation in which the special symbol moves cyclically, and includes a reach effect. The reach effect is a symbol effect that starts after the two special symbols whose fluctuations have been stopped among the three special symbols are correctly aligned. Is done.

  As described above, the effect control unit 22 of the present embodiment is configured to cause the radiating unit 50 to emit light and to obtain a captured image from the camera unit 51 during the camera effect executed during the reach effect. Whether or not to execute a camera effect is determined by a camera effect lottery, but in this embodiment, a high probability is obtained when reaching a big hit state and when executing a reach effect that is likely to reach a big hit state. Thus, the camera production lottery is won.

  On the other hand, when a reach effect that is unlikely to reach a big hit state is executed, the camera effect lottery is selected with a low probability. Since the fact that the camera effect lottery has been won is notified to the display device LCD at an appropriate timing, the player is expected to participate in the camera effect with a sense of expectation based on the above high probability of winning. .

  FIG. 5 illustrates two camera effects. The illustrated example shows the symbol effect at the final stage of the reach effect and at a delicate timing as to whether or not the special symbol “7-7-7” is aligned. The camera production is started at such a delicate timing. For example, in the case of the camera production No. 1, the display device LCD displays “Camera Chance !! Push“ 7 ”or push“ 6 ”!”! Is displayed. In addition, an appropriate character (help man) appears.

  Therefore, when the player extends the fingertip to the camera unit 51 at this timing, the cursor symbol appears on the display device LCD. Therefore, the cursor symbol can be moved by moving the fingertip in an appropriate direction. In addition, the broken line of Fig.5 (a) has shown the movement locus | trajectory of a cursor symbol. When the cursor symbol is moved to the character position in this way, the cursor symbol disappears and the character color and shape change (character activation). Then, since the character moves in response to the movement of the fingertip of the player (broken line arrow in FIG. 5B), the character is moved slowly to the position of the special symbol “7”, and then the player's fingertip is moved. The fingertip can be moved downward. Then, for example, the character repeats the action of pushing the special symbol “7” into the center position.

  In the case of the camera production NO2, a cursor symbol appears on the display device LCD together with the display “camera chance! Therefore, the cursor symbol is moved to the position of the character, for example, as shown by the broken line in FIG. When the cursor symbol is moved to the character position, the character holding the special symbol “7” moves corresponding to the movement of the player's fingertip, so that the special symbol “7” is brought close to the target position. Can do.

  Since any of the above operations is a support operation for inviting a big hit state, if the support operation is successful, the player can feel that he has won the big hit state by his contribution, and with great joy. , You can enjoy new gaming. However, whether or not the big hit state is reached is not actually affected by the quality of the support operation. Therefore, as an effect at the time of losing, if the moving speed of the fingertip of the player is fast, the special symbol “7” executes an effect that goes too far from the center position, and the losing state is determined at “7-8-7”. On the other hand, when the moving speed of the player's finger is slow, the special symbol “7” executes an effect of being pushed back from the center position, and the lost state is determined at “7-6-7”.

  Note that the player may not use the camera effect, but in such a case, after the start of the camera effect, all special symbols are changed again at an appropriate timing, and then stopped at the scheduled symbol array. Let

  In order to realize the camera production operation as described above, it is necessary to grasp the movement of the fingertip of the player. In this embodiment, in order to realize this, a composite chip 52 (System On a Chip) is used. ing. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating the connection relationship between the radiation unit 50, the camera unit 51, the composite chip 52, and the one-chip microcomputer 40, and the configuration of each unit.

  As described above, the radiating unit 50 is configured by arranging an infrared LED on the main body BDY whose inner surface is mirror-finished. The camera unit 51 outputs a frame image data in the UYVY format in response to an output from the image sensor 60 and a two-dimensional image sensor 60 composed of a CCD or a CMOS that receives reflected light via the infrared filter Fi. And a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 61.

  Here, the UYVY format refers to the luminance (Y), color difference U (= BY), and color difference V (for the R (red), G (green), and B (blue) levels of each sampling point. = R−Y). In this embodiment, 30 frames of image data per second are output to the composite chip 52 in the form of serial data.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the composite chip 52 includes a DSPC unit 62 (Digital Signal Processor controller), a COD unit 63 (colored object detect), a CPU 64 for detecting the fingertip position of the player, and a work area of the CPU 64. And a register group 66 storing the operation results of the COD unit 63, and an output port 67. The register 65 stores the data defining the operation of the DSPC unit 62 and the COD unit 63 (operation parameters). Configured.

  A control program that defines the operation of the CPU 64 is stored in the external ROM 53. Further, the data output from the output port 67 is configured to be supplied to the input port of the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control unit.

  In the composite chip 52 having the above-described internal configuration, the DSPC unit 62 performs data communication with the DSP 61 of the camera unit 51 to acquire 30 pieces of frame image data (YUV signal) per second. On the other hand, the COD unit 63 converts the YUV signal that has passed through the DSPC unit 62 into an HSV signal, extracts a specific color component region designated in advance, and represents four coordinate data indicating the outline of the extraction region. Is written in the corresponding address of the register group 66. In this embodiment, the hue H (hue) is given by H = tan−1 (V / U) * 256 / 3.14, and the saturation S (saturation) is given by S = SQR (U2 + V2). The brightness V (value) is given by V = Y.

  By the way, in this embodiment, in order to eliminate disturbance noise, the infrared filter Fi is intentionally arranged to block visible light. Therefore, the original RGB values should not be detected in principle, and in fact, the detection level is not stabilized at all for the hue H in particular. However, according to the inventor's experimental research, the luminance Y (= lightness V) is significant for the intensity of the reflected infrared light and the characteristics of the on-chip color filter and the photodiode constituting the image sensor. It was confirmed that the level was detected stably.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the outline of the fingertip is extracted based on the brightness V of the reflected light reflected from the player's finger. Specifically, an appropriate threshold value TH is set, and the fingertip region is specified based on whether the lightness V of each sampling point exceeds the threshold value TH.

  FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C are flowcharts for explaining processing contents of the CPU 64 and the COD unit 63 that realize this operation. When the power is turned on, the CPU 64 appropriately initializes the DSPC unit 62 and the COD unit 63 (ST10). In this initial setting process, (a) extracting an area having a lightness V exceeding the threshold value TH, and (b) connecting a plurality of extraction areas when they are close to each other by a predetermined distance or more. This includes processing for instructing the COD unit 63 to do so. Specifically, the CPU 64 completes the initial setting process by writing predetermined operation parameters including the instructions (a) and (b) to the corresponding addresses of the register group 66 (ST10).

  As a result of the above initial setting, the COD unit 63 starts operation continuously based on the operation parameter written in the register group 66. Specifically, the YUV signal transmitted from the DSP unit 61 at 1/30 second intervals is converted into an HSV signal (ST1), and a region satisfying the above conditions (a) and (b) is extracted (ST2). ).

  And among the extracted areas, four points that specify the outline of the maximum size area are written in the corresponding addresses of the register group 66, and the corresponding of the register is indicated to indicate that the specified extraction operation is completed. The set image recognition flag CMP is written in the address (ST3).

  FIG. 8 illustrates an extraction area indicating a fingertip shape and four points (points a to d) that specify the extraction area. In this embodiment, the contour of the extraction region corresponds to the point a corresponding to the minimum value Ymin in the Y-axis direction, the point b corresponding to the minimum value Xmin in the X-axis direction, and the maximum value Ymax in the Y-axis direction. It is specified by the point c and the point d corresponding to the maximum value Xmax in the X-axis direction.

  The respective coordinate positions are a point = (Xa, Ymin), b point = (Xmin, Yb), c point = (Xc, Ymax), d point = (Xmax, Yd). Xa means the X coordinate of point a, Yb means the Y coordinate of point b, Xc means the X coordinate of point c, and Yd means the Y coordinate of point d.

  After the initial setting process (ST10) of the CPU 64, the COD unit 63 continuously operates the processes in steps ST1 to ST3 described above at 1/30 second intervals. Therefore, after the initial setting process (ST10), the CPU 64 waits for the image recognition flag CMP to be set (ST11), and when the image recognition flag CMP is set, prohibits the subsequent update of the detection data. (ST12). This is because the COD unit 63 prohibits the coordinate data for the next frame from being written while the CPU 64 is reading the four-point coordinates extracted for one frame from the register group 66.

  Subsequent to the processing of step ST12, the CPU 64 reads the detection data (four-point coordinate value) from the register group 66, specifies the fingertip position, and outputs the specified fingertip position coordinate value (position information DET) to the output port 67. And output to the one-chip microcomputer 40 (ST13). At the timing of this step ST13, a strobe signal STB "serving as an interrupt signal for the one-chip microcomputer 40 is also output, and the one-chip microcomputer 40 receives the fingertip of the player in the interrupt processing corresponding to the strobe signal STB". The position information DET is acquired (see FIG. 9).

  When the process in step ST13 is completed, the CPU 64 then permits the update of the detection data prohibited in the process in step ST12, clears the set image recognition flag CMP (ST14), and performs image recognition for the next frame. The process proceeds to a process of waiting for the flag CMP to be set (ST11).

  FIG. 7 illustrates in detail the process in step ST13 of FIG. First, the CPU 64 acquires the coordinate positions of the points a to d from the corresponding address of the register group 66 and stores them in the RAM 65 (ST20).

  As described above, the points a to d specify the contour shape of the fingertip of the player acquired by the camera unit 51. However, the player not only makes the fingertip almost upright (FIG. 8A), but also tilts to the left (FIG. 8B) and tilts to the right (FIG. 8C). There seems to be.

  Therefore, in order to determine whether or not the fingertip is substantially upright, the deviation between the maximum value Xmax and the minimum value Xmin in the X direction is compared with the reference value WD (ST21). Here, if Xmax−Xmin> WD, it can be considered that the fingertip is inclined. Conversely, if Xmax−Xmin ≦ WD, it can be considered that the fingertip is almost upright. If the fingertip is almost upright, the X coordinate of the fingertip is set to (Xmax + Xmin) / 2 for convenience (ST22).

  On the other hand, if the fingertip is tilted, the tilt direction is determined (ST23). When tilted to the left (FIG. 8B), the Y coordinate of the point d is larger than the Y coordinate of the b point, and conversely when tilted to the right (FIG. 8C). , D point Y coordinate is smaller than b point Y coordinate. Therefore, the tilt direction can be specified based on the magnitude relationship between the Y coordinate value Yd at the maximum value Xmax in the X axis direction and the Y coordinate value Yb at the minimum value Xmin in the X axis direction.

  Then, when tilted to the left (see FIG. 8B), the X coordinate of the fingertip is set to Xmin for convenience (ST24), while tilted to the right (see FIG. 8C). The X coordinate of the fingertip is set to Xmax for convenience (ST25).

  Thus, the X coordinate value of the fingertip is specified (ST22, ST24, ST25), and then the Y coordinate value of the fingertip is specified as Ymin (ST26). The specified coordinate values X and Y are both 8 bits long, and as a whole are 16 bits long. Therefore, in order to finish the transmission process to the one-chip microcomputer 40 quickly, in this embodiment, the coordinate value X and the coordinate value Y of each 8-bit length are multiplied by 1/16 to obtain a 4-bit length, and the position of the 8-bit length as a whole. Compressed into information DET. The fingertip position information DET thus specified is output to the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control unit 22 via the output port 67 together with the strobe signal STB ″ (ST27).

  Since the strobe signal STB "is supplied as an interrupt signal to the one-chip microcomputer 40, an interrupt processing program is started in the one-chip microcomputer 40. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the interrupt processing program. As described above, the one-chip microcomputer 40 stores the acquired position information DET (ST31) and transmits it to the image control unit 23 as a kind of the control command CMD '(ST32). Then, since the processing load of the production control unit 22 relating to the camera production is extremely small, there is no possibility of hindering the original production control.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a main part of the processing content of the image control unit 23 after the camera effect is started. As will be described below, when the one-chip microcomputer of the image control unit 23 receives the control command CMD ′, it determines whether or not it is position information DET, and if it is not position information DET, it proceeds to another determination process ( ST40). On the other hand, when the position information DET is acquired, the value of the operation determination flag FL is determined. Here, the operation determination flag FL is a flag for managing the progress of the camera effect, and is initially set to 0 at the start of the camera effect.

  Therefore, the operation determination flag FL is initially FL = 0, and the cursor movement operation is executed (ST42). The cursor movement operation means an operation of displaying a cursor at the position of the display device LCD specified by the position information DET received from the effect control unit 22. As described above, the position information DET is each 4-bit XY coordinate that specifies the fingertip position of the player, and specifies which section of 16 × 16 sections belongs to. Therefore, the display device LCD is also divided into 16 × 16 sections for convenience, and a cursor is displayed at the position of the display device LCD corresponding to the position information DET.

  Next, it is determined whether the cursor display position after the movement matches the cursor target position (ST43). The cursor target position is, for example, the display position of the character (help man) shown in FIG. 5, and is the target position for activating the character.

  Therefore, when the target position has not been reached, the processing is finished as it is and the reception of the next position information DET is awaited. On the other hand, if the target position has been reached, the motion determination flag FL is changed to 1 and a character activation process is executed (ST44). In the character activation process, for example, the cursor disappears and the character color or shape is changed as described above.

  In this way, when the character activation process is completed, the movement determination flag FL is set to FL = 1 in the determination of step ST41 when the next position information DET is received. Therefore, if FL = 1, a character moving action is executed (ST45). The character movement operation means an operation for displaying a character at the position of the display device LCD specified by the position information DET received from the effect control unit 22.

  Then, following the process of step ST45, it is determined whether the character display position matches the character target position (ST46). The character target position is, for example, the display position of the special symbol “7” in FIGS. 5B and 5D, and is a target position for generating a big hit state by the support action by the character.

  Here, if the character target position has not been reached, the processing is ended as it is and the next position information DET is received, but if the character target position has been reached, the motion determination flag FL is changed to 2. At the same time, the subsequent character effect is started (ST47). The character effect to be started is, for example, an operation of pushing in the special symbol “7” to complete the aligned state of “7-7-7” (see FIGS. 5B and 5D).

  Note that after the motion determination flag FL is set to FL = 2 by the process of step ST47, the camera effect process is ended by the determination of step ST41. Therefore, even if the player moves the fingertip, the motion is It is not reflected in action.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. In particular, the method of using the camera is not limited to the camera effect described above, and appropriate use is possible.

  In the case of the embodiment, the one-chip microcomputer 40 of the effect control unit 22 stops at the time of the camera effect, but stores the position information DET in time sequence at the timing of step ST31. By doing so, the movement trajectory of the player's fingertip can be grasped, and it is also preferable to execute a game effect corresponding to this. The game effects include not only symbol effects using the display device LCD but also sound effects and lamp effects.

  Moreover, in the case of the Example, although the radiation | emission part 50 and the camera part 51 were all arrange | positioned inside the glass door 6, only the radiation | emission part 50 or the radiation | emission part 50 and the camera part 51 were glass door 6 It is also suitable to arrange outside. However, in this case, there is a drawback that the distance between the player and the camera unit 51 or the radiation unit 50 tends to be short. In addition, although infrared rays were used in the embodiment, other invisible light may be used. In the embodiment, the fingertip of the player is a problem. However, the present invention is not limited to the human body, and it is needless to say that the movement of the cellular phone or other player's belongings may be grasped.

  Furthermore, in the embodiment, the composite chip 52 transmits the position information DET of the fingertip position of the player to the one-chip microcomputer 40, but is not limited to this configuration. For example, in the composite chip 52, it is also preferable to specify the position of the center of gravity of the video of the player, specify the moving direction of the position of the center of gravity, and transmit this as vector information to the one-chip microcomputer 52. The vector information preferably includes the moving direction of the barycentric position and the moving speed.

GM gaming machine 50 Radiation part Fi Visible region cut-off filter 60 Two-dimensional image sensor 51 Reception part 52 Grasping means

Claims (1)

A gaming machine that executes a lottery process due to a predetermined gaming operation and determines whether or not to generate a gaming state advantageous to a player,
A radiation unit that emits inspection light toward a subject located in front of the gaming machine;
A receiving unit having a two-dimensional image sensor for receiving a reflected wave from the subject of the inspection light via a visible light cutoff filter;
A gaming machine comprising: grasping means for grasping the subject based on a saturation value or a lightness value at each sampling point based on an output of the image sensor.